The drug war vs. the war on terror

Chicago Tribune ^ | December 13, 2001 | Steve Chapman

[CrossCheck]

On Oct. 25, six weeks after the worst terrorist atrocities in our history, the United States was bombing Afghanistan, Colin Powell was discussing a post-Taliban government, investigators were grappling with anthrax in the mail, and federal agents were . . . well, they were going after pot smokers in California. If John Ashcroft had been around during the Chicago fire, he would have been handcuffing jaywalkers.

[Dane]

Hmm, Rudolph Guiliani got the pot smokers and crackheads off the streets and crime plummeted in New York City.

Of course Mr. Chapman left that out.

[Uncle Fud]

The reason there has been so much concentration on drug cases is obvious - terrorism and violent crimes don't offer one-tenth the opportunity for asset seizures and bribery.

[VA Advogado]

For the last two decades, our leaders have treated the enforcement of drug laws as the moral equivalent of war. On Sept. 11, it became blindingly clear that there really is no moral equivalent of war.

War, we were reminded, is when foreign enemies are trying to kill as many of us as they can. Cokeheads and dope smokers, whatever their shortcomings, don't have that mission. The Al Qaeda terrorists do.

Both are a thread to our way of live and need to be eliminated.

Police Officer Loses Eye To Crack-Addled Gunman

[VA Advogado]

The reason there has been so much concentration on drug cases is obvious - terrorism and violent crimes don't offer one-tenth the opportunity for asset seizures and bribery.

BUZZZZZZ. Wrong answer. They effortly seized a pretty good amount of Bin Laden related cash in this war. In the millions. Try another defense of druggies.

[tonycavanagh]

re : Hmm, Rudolph Guiliani got the pot smokers and crackheads off the streets and crime plummeted in New York City.

But I read various reports of Cities that did not practise zero tolerance where crime also plummeted.

A reason given was the fact that the criminals were doing a better job of reducing crime than the police, killing each other off, the biggest cause of death amongst young black men was from guns, couple that with the mass abortion amongst young black women from the same class, and you have a fall amongst those most likely to cause street crime, young men and boys.

Cheers Tony

[VA Advogado]

Though he is still better than Reno, he has some of her faults of "excess".

I am proud of Ashcroft's efforts. I have no problem with Jack booted thugs when they're used against the right people. In this case, law breaking druggies are the right people. No mercy, no peas.

[Pern]

So I guess because I decide to smoke a joint in my own house, not infringing on anyone else's rights, I deserve to be 'eliminated'? Kinda harsh, don't you think?

[Dane]

Never forget, Ashcroft was the # two pick for AG and lost his senate race to a dead man.

Yawn, I guess you live by the Leahy/democrat addage of "If you can't beat a good man, smear him".

Attorney General Ashcroft is doing a great job. AG Ashcroft lost his Senate seat due to the sympathy vote for the widow Carnahan(whose husband and son died in tragic plane crash 3 weeks befor the election). Mrs. Carnahan has burned bridges with her no vote for AG Ashcroft's confirmation and showed that she does not have the class that AG Ashcroft showed her.

[Dane]

A reason given was the fact that the criminals were doing a better job of reducing crime than the police, killing each other off, the biggest cause of death amongst young black men was from guns, couple that with the mass abortion amongst young black women from the same class, and you have a fall amongst those most likely to cause street crime, young men and boys

An ill-informed comment from across the pond(England), where drugs are being legalized and crime is skyrocketing.

Guiliani took the dope smokers and crackheads off the street and crime plummeted.

In New York City before Guiliani(Dinkins administration), Dinkins did what they are doing in England now(taking a blind eye towards drug users) and New York City was a cesspool.

[steve50]

And next year when the "jack booted thugs" come for your cigarettes, or your guns, or your Bible I'm sure you won't mind. Why is the 2nd the only part of the Constitution people here care about?

[Pern]

Funny, I'm currently on a British registered cable-laying ship off the coast of Vietnam. I just asked the Capt. (who, of course, is a Brit) if crime has increased since MJ was decriminalized, and the answer was NO. He said that from his prespective, crime has decreased, since the cops are now able to go after the hard drug users.

[tonycavanagh]

re : An ill-informed comment from across the pond(England), where drugs are being legalized and crime is skyrocketing.

Well it was an American report I got my information from.

Oh and Crime in Britian has actully gone down.

Cheers for the reply Tony

[alpowolf]

Don't bother the Holy Drug Warriors with the facts. It makes their heads hurt.

[Twodees]

Fascinating. You wouldn't happen to have some documentation of this "fact" of yours, would you?

[alpowolf]

I have no problem with Jack booted thugs when they're used against the right people.

Another conservative with no principles. It's alright, you have a lot of company.

[Dane]

And next year when the "jack booted thugs" come for your cigarettes, or your guns, or your Bible I'm sure you won't mind

Do you put drugs such as marijuana, crack, and heroin on the same moral plane as the Bible and firearms.

Let me ask you a question. Firearms help protect innocent people and property, how many lives have a joint, crackpipe, or heroin needle saved.

The Bible and firearms are not on the same moral plane as marijuana, crack, or heroin.